Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 July 2022
75. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on providing fully accessible changing places and toilet facilities open to the public in all buildings which his Department owns and public bodies and agencies under his remit to offer people with disabilities and carers a network of equipped spaces to take care of personal hygiene, in safety and comfort. [38716/22]
View answerThe buildings and premises under the remit of my Department and its Offices, which include the Companies Registration Office, the Intellectual Property Office of Ireland, the Labour Court and the Workplace Relations Commission, fall under the direct responsibility of the OPW who oversee the property portfolio for State bodies within Ireland. While most of the buildings within my Department are not open to the public, each one is equipped with reasonable accommodation accessible by staff with disabilities allowing for changing and taking care of personal hygiene in a safe and comfortable environment.
As a public service employer my Department has a legal obligation under the Disability Act 2005 to take measures to promote and support the employment of people with disabilities. There is a dedicated Disability Liaison Officer in place who acts as a proactive contact for staff with disabilities to support them and to assist in the implementation of best Human Resource practices in line with equality legislation.
My Department is committed to providing accommodation to staff with disabilities. This includes asking staff to indicate if they have any needs for reasonable accommodation related to a disability and indicating if they require any particular health and safety supports relating to a disability, for example assistance or arrangements in relation to the creation of personal evacuation plans in the event of an emergency.
A needs assessment procedure is also in place to help identify workplace accommodations required by staff with a disability. There is a work assessment team in place which consists of Disability Liaison Officer, Health and Safety Officer, Access Officer, and ICT unit support for assistive technology/IT equipment. This team is also available to provide support to any staff member with a disability in areas such as access throughout the buildings, workstation suitability and access to toilet and canteen facilities.
The specific day-to-day operations of the Agencies under the aegis of my Department are a matter for their respective Boards and Heads of Agencies, however the legislative requirements referred to above are also applicable to each Agency.
